Hound Family Holiday Visit - A 2 Day Tour & a few thoughts.

[Hound 109]

DS8, DD25 & (me) Dad50 had a great 2 day visit at Walt's Park. A recap & some thoughts on our Holiday visit:

- DD was going to have to leave (for LAX) late Monday for a Tuesday interview in San Antonio, so we all decided to leave mid afternoon Monday (making this a true Blitzkrieg visit).

- DS & i arrived at the Paradise Pier at 6:50am Sun. (It took 55 min. to travel 60 miles from West LA, 70 mph the entire way). Grabbed some breakfast at the Concierge , & were at the DL gate (7th in line) at 7:25am.

- A line opened up next to us, so we ended up being first in line. Our CM was very quick & we were the first people on Main St. I made a quck decision to "do" Nemo (instead of SM, Buzz & FL) & were second in line at Nemo & of course rode the first sub. (But still didn't get to our second ride, SM, till 8:35)

- Frankly, I think the DL Railroad is a better (& definitely more comfortable) ride than the Nemo subs & that Crush delivers more "Nemo fun". I doubt that I'll ride Nemo again unless i'm at DL for 4+ days. DS liked it, but he likes Toadie (& probably 10 other rides) more.

- Sunday before 11am was VERY UNcrowded at DL, & although it was cool, the weather was nice. (Monday was glorious weather all day.)

- After Nemo, we began collecting FPs & doing rides. This was VERY important as Sunday afternoon & evening was packed. (I believe because locals came out for the Christmas events & because the weather cleared).

- We collected FPs at SM (8:45), Indy (10:00), BTMRR (11:00) & Buzz at noon. We also rode Nemo & 9 other rides prior meeting up with DD at 10am.

- We rode Alice at about 8:50....I think I saw WendyPooh (& family) a couple of families behind us. (If the boys had their colorful rasta disney hats...at least i think i saw them. ) FWIW, DS really liked the Rasta Hats & the Mad Hatter Hats & was after me to get him one.

- IASW & HM absolutely blew me away. Not only the outside, but the inside theming was amazing. Plus the music of IASW was mostly wonderful Christmas (with children's voices in different languages) songs.

- DD met us at 9:50am (she had spent the night with a friend nearby)...We rode Pirates & then Pooh. (Pooh Corner sure delivers a great mid morning snack. )

- We were near Jedi at 10:30, so we walked over to TL & DS got to decapitate Darth Maul again. (this really is a cute attraction/show).


Because we were only visiting 1 & 3/4 days (instead of 2 3/4 days) we didn't do (weren't able to do) Pirates Lair, Splash (it was cold) & Aladdin....but that's about it.



- Hopped to DCA, picked up a Soarin FP & walked to Screamin. DD & I took turns doing a "walk on" Single Line on Screamin while DS rode Triton's Carousel. I think I'm beginning to like Screamin better than SM.

- Walked on Griz Rapids (it was 60 degrees & windy) & avoided getting too wet. (phew) Used FP for Soarin' (row 1 of course ) & then over to the GCH for an OK burger at WhiteWater. Then DS & DD romped thru the Redwood Trail area for a few minutes.

- checked in at the Paradise Pier, rested for 90 min. (grabbed some cookies, cokes & waters at the Concierge) & back to DL.

- DL as night fell was breathtaking. A real Holiday treat.

- We watched the Parade from a circular planter bench (we, along with others, stood and looked over the crowds) near IASW (which was beautifully & festively lit up). Great parade.

- Crazy crowded Sunday night....I'm so glad we had 4 FPs for that evening's touring.

- Rode rides right up to 9:30 Fireworks. Odd tip, but it worked for us. We approached the HUB from SM as the fireworks started, & we were directed to walk slowly around the HUB & slowly down Main St. We ended up stopping 3/4s of the way down Main St. & stood & watched the show.

- Bolted for the PP after the fireworks....we were bushed (DS & I had gotten up at 5am)



- We were up at 6:30am on Monday & at the DL gate at 7:35 (5th in line) for EE.

- 3/4th of the folks headed to Nemo, but we strolled to PP first (Always first!) & walked on. Skipped Dumbo (Neither DD or DS wanted to ride the poor elephant )

- Alice - walk on. (DD loved it. So do DS & I ).

- Matterhorn first FL side, then Nemo side, (FantasyLand was empty during EE, so both sides were walk on). DS (& I) said "HI" to Harold FOUR times (for DangerMouse)

- Then in order....Alice (again), Toadie, Pinochio, Buzz, SM then walked over to Storyland Canal at 9am. (there were no CMs there, so we walked over to...)

- ...IASW. Where I was blown away with the ride (after being blown away the night before with the outside). & I was advised that IASW IS OPEN DURING EE FOR THE HOLIDAYS. (Put it on your EE list people!)

- After FL we headed for a Left Side tour (Pirates, HM (amazing ), Pooh (with TiggerTails & Macadamia Nut Cookie again). Didn't feel like waiting for Indy again, as we had rides in DCA to do.



- Then hopped to DCA at 10:10am.

- Walked in to see Crush at 10:30 (never get tired of this).

- T of T (DS finally agreed to ride. )

- Muppets, then Picked up a FP for Soarin.

- Bugs Life (i think they've added some twists )

- Had lunch at the moderate Italian Restaurant (Tratatorria or sumthin) It was very good, but sitting outside on a pretty day (68 degrees & sunny) made it even better. I will eat here for one lunch or early dinner per trip from now on.

- Jellyfish, then Zephyr.

& last but not least.....Soarin' over California (again).... what a fabulous ride.

- an hour to the airport.


Some Thoughts:

Paradise Pier was Good (again), Pier Concierge was just OK this time (but worth the $40 bump for us).

Tratatroria was very good.

IASW (Christmas version) is great.

HM was (is) great.

FL was (is) great.

Nemo is not in my "top 20" of DL rides.

Screamin' is more enjoyable (for me) than SM or Indy (but I'll always ride all of them).

Christmas parade was very good.

All Disney Fireworks are great.

Snow on Main St. is great (especially when it's 50 degrees or colder outside).

Walking thru DTD to your hotel is great. (Would be better if we were walking to our room at the GCH )

EE is great......& Picking up FPs (especially on weekends) remains essential.

I hope Aladdin is still performing for us next time.

Griz Rapids is a Great Ride, Soarin' over California is an Amazing Ride & Crush cracks me up.

The charming castle is always pretty, but especially during this special season.

Walt's park was/is (& will always be) a magical place.


hound -

 

[staley7580]

Sounds like you had a blast!!

 

[tinkermell]

Hound ...sounds like you had a great time. I bet you did wish it was longer!! I have a super important question for you, and I'm so glad you are on right now. We also have Ap concierge at PP. This is my question for you. My DS, DIL and 2 GSs might be staying with us one night, kind of at the last minute decision. They have to go to a funeral this Friday morning at Laguna Beach. They also would love to have the children come to DL with us. So we might watch the kids while they are at the funeral, and then afterwards they would join us for the day. So how would it look to have 2 adults and a 3 and toddler with us in our room on concierge level? I've never done anything like that. Would somebody notice it. I've already told them the problem, and I don't want to take advatage of it and freeload. I just want them to be able to spend the night so they don't have a long ride home. So do they check you as you come in the lounge? What do they do?

Thanks! Yours and anybody elses comments are welcome. Sorry this is way off subject, but we are leaving tomorrow,and I would like to know what to telll them ASAP.

I'm going to edit this because I think people will still think I will let my kids use the conceirge. I'm asking about the lounge check, because I hope that is what they do, so I don't get accused of freeloading.
Are you confused? I'm trying to type this fast, and not making very good sense I'm afraid. Geesh... I guess if they stay in the room that is bad too. Oh what to do...........?

 

[Tink208]

Sounds like a jam-packed, fun-filled, whirlwind Disneyland experience!

I really like Screamin', but until my younger son is tall enough to ride it, SM is still, hands down, our family's favorite ride. (It has been my favorite ride since I was a teenager.)

 

[lovedoggies]

Hound ...sounds like you had a great time. I bet you did wish it was longer!! I have a super important question for you, and I'm so glad you are on right now. We also have Ap concierge at PP. This is my question for you. My DS, DIL and 2 GSs might be staying with us one night, kind of at the last minute decision. They have to go to a funeral this Friday morning at Laguna Beach. They also would love to have the children come to DL with us. So we might watch the kids while they are at the funeral, and then afterwards they would join us for the day. So how would it look to have 2 adults and a 3 and toddler with us in our room on concierge level? I've never done anything like that. Would somebody notice it. I've already told them the problem, and I don't want to take advatage of it and freeload. I just want them to be able to spend the night so they don't have a long ride home. So do they check you as you come in the lounge? What do they do?

Thanks! Yours and anybody elses comments are welcome. Sorry this is way off subject, but we are leaving tomorrow,and I would like to know what to telll them ASAP.

We were at the Grand Californian with the Concierge and no one ever checked anything. You use your key to get in, and although there are people in there working (keeping food stocked, clearing tables, etc) no one ever checked to make sure we were suppose to be there, or how many of us there were or anything like that. We saw large groups of people in there and just assumed they had more than one room.

 

[Hound 109]

Hound ...sounds like you had a great time. I bet you did wish it was longer!! I have a super important question for you, and I'm so glad you are on right now. We also have Ap concierge at PP. This is my question for you. My DS, DIL and 2 GSs might be staying with us one night, kind of at the last minute decision. They have to go to a funeral this Friday morning at Laguna Beach. They also would love to have the children come to DL with us. So we might watch the kids while they are at the funeral, and then afterwards they would join us for the day. So how would it look to have 2 adults and a 3 and toddler with us in our room on concierge level? I've never done anything like that. Would somebody notice it. I've already told them the problem, and I don't want to take advatage of it and freeload. I just want them to be able to spend the night so they don't have a long ride home. So do they check you as you come in the lounge? What do they do?

Thanks! Yours and anybody elses comments are welcome. Sorry this is way off subject, but we are leaving tomorrow,and I would like to know what to telll them ASAP.

Police!!!! ::cop:



TinkerMel, No one at the Concierge Level "checked" us. We just slid the key in & help ourselves. I can't imagine there being a problem with you & DH & two grandsons walking in for pastries & OJ. (or cookies & cokes).

They normally have a person sitting at a desk (who smiles & says hello & helps for character meal reservations & stuff) & a person who stocks the food table.....but it's pretty much help yourself. No worries.

Have fun & DO SEE IASW & HM....they're amazing. I could have ridden HM 4 times (instead of just twice). So much detail.


PS - Per DangerMouse, your EE priviledge allows for up to a total of 6 people to enjoy EE. (Even if they aren't staying at PP).

Also, DON'T FORGET YOUR PP ticket so you can get into EE. (I forgot mine, but the CM let me in.)

.

 

[lovedoggies]

We were also there this weekend. Trip started late Friday night and we came home yesterday (tuesday).

We had a very similar trip plan as you on Sunday/Monday. Sunday was freezing, but Monday was glorious! Yesterday was very similar to Monday. Saturday was cold and it rained a little. The crowds were very manageable all days. There seemed to be a lot of people walking around, but the lines for rides were pretty short, with the exception of Sunday afternoon/early eve. By 9pm though there were no lines on anything that we rode really.

We had a great trip and enjoyed everything so much. We stayed at the Grand Californian and Concierge. Hotel was awesome, concierge was ok. I love the location of the hotel.

I was impressed with california Adventure. I had not been there before and I was not expecting to like it (it gets a lot of negative comments). Like you, I loved Soarin' and Screamin' and Tower of Terror. We did ride the Grizzly Rapids ride about 5pm on Sunday. We put on ponchos and went for it. It was so cold out, but we didnt end up getting very wet so that was good. We enjoyed the tortilla tour, and the sourdough bread tour, and had some yummy corn chowder in bread bowls right in that area that was delicious!

I loved the holiday parade, the fireworks were wonderful and I loved the castle all lit up at night. We thought the snow was fun, too. We saw the fireworks from the center of the hub area the first time. Too crowded for me, but good view. Next time we were over towards the Matterhorn, still in that circle area - not as crowded and could still see great.

Ditto to everything you said about Small World, Pirates, Nemo, Space Mtn.. We skipped Splash Mtn because no one wanted to get that wet.

I think it was a great time to go. Planning again for next year, but this time no Concierge for us. Didnt think it was worth the added $$$.

 

[tinkermell]

Police!!!! ::cop:



TinkerMel, No one at the Concierge Level "checked" us. We just slid the key in & help ourselves. I can't imagine there being a problem with you & DH & two grandsons walking in for pastries & OJ. (or cookies & cokes).

They normally have a person sitting at a desk (who smiles & says hello & helps for character meal reservations & stuff) & a person who stocks the food table.....but it's pretty much help yourself. No worries.

Have fun & DO SEE IASW & HM....they're amazing. I could have ridden HM 4 times (instead of just twice). So much detail.

Hound and lovedoggies, Thanks for your swift answers!! I will call them and tell them what you said.

Hound, I know what you mean!! The Holiday overlays are awesome, and my favorites. DD14 absolutely loves HMH, and is so used to seeing that version, that last June when we went, she didn't like HM as much.

I'm so excited to go again. Friday morning, our first day there, I'm going to try and watch them make their famous candy canes. It's a very long and tedious project, but I heard it was worth it. This trip, I'm going to try and stop to "smell the roses," so to speak.

What did DD think of ToT?? Even though I am up there, I think that is my favorite ride of all! Watch out all of you young people, Tinkermell is going on the ToT this weekend. Yeah!

Oh and I will be sporting my lime green Mickey on my purse.

Thanks again for you great TR!! You have a great sense of humor. Please come join the Hyena thread sometime!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

- I think the DL Railroad is a better & more comfortable ride than the Nemo subs & that Crush delivers more "Nemo fun". I doubt that I'll ride Nemo again unless i'm at DL for 4+ days. DS liked it, but he likes Toadie (& probably 10 other rides) more.

Lots of people around here seem to feel that way as you have seen lately. We rode it two weeks after it opened in June and my prediction then is still in effect. Nemo is still a novelty since the subs were down for nie years, but after the novelty wears off in 2008 the lines will go way down. Since the 900 per hour capacity is so low that may artificially keep longer lines indefinitely (like Dumbo) but I expect 2008 to have Nemo lines maxed out at 45-60 minutes. Nemo is just not a very good ride.

- ...IASW. Where I was blown away with the ride (after being blown away the night before with the outside). & I was advised that IASW IS OPEN DURING EE FOR THE HOLIDAYS. (Put it on the EE list people!)

I have to say I like the IASWH much better than IASW, but I like HM much better than HMH.

FWIW, many of you know IASW is going down in January for most of 2008 and that may contribute to longer lines than typical. Regardless, IASW/IASWH is a high capacity ride and the line move fast. We rode it in November at about 10:30 in the morning and the line was 12 minutes long. It is good to know it is an EE ride for the holidays, but if it was me I would not skip other EE rides for IASWH because its line moves so fast - unless I had lots of days at DLR with multiple EEs. Then I might.

Screamin' is more enjoyable than SM or Indy (but I'll always ride all of them).

Although I enjoy CS I have to agree with naysayers that point out it has the weakest theming of any US Disney coaster.

Think of the US coasters:

1. Space Mtn (DL and MK)
2. BTMRR (DL and MK)
3. Matterhorn (DL)
4. RnR (MGM)
5. EE (AK)
6. CS

Think of the rich theming on all of these coasters, and then think about what kind of immersive experience you get on CS. It really does not immerse you in anything. It feels sort of like a Six Flags coaster. A fun Six Flags coaster to be sure, but still a Six Flags coaster.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Wow, sounds like you had a great time!

I also love IASWH. It just makes the ride so much more enjoyable.

And I think I've come to like HMH better than the regular HM. The funny thing is, is that our boys (DS 8 and DS 4) have never seen the regular HM. They've only ever experienced Jack Skeleton and crew on the ride, so they'd probably be confused to see it without all the "Nightmare Before Christmas" layover. I'm not going to mention a word about the difference to them when they finally do get to see the original version (probably next year at WDW). It'll be funny to see their expressions.

Unfortunately my oldest son is shy (or gets stage fright, or gets too self conscious, or something), and he doesn't want to talk to Crush or do the Jedi Training Academy, so we actually like the Nemo sub ride more than Crush. He gets all nervous about Crush and will ask questions like, "Do I HAVE to talk to him?!" And then his feelings get hurt and he'll ask, "Why didn't Crush talk to ME?! I don't know.....I'm thinking my kid is loony.

I STILL haven't had an opportunity to ride CS yet, but maybe I'll get a chance in April with the DisBoard Ladies.

I have to say that I love SM, BTMRR, Matterhorn, EE (at WDW) and RnR (at WDW), so hopefully I'll love CS too.

Anyway, I think you had an excellent touring plan. Sounds like you all got in a lot of fun stuff in a short amount of time!

 

[Tink208]

I also love IASWH. It just makes the ride so much more enjoyable.

This is so true!!! Something about adding in the holiday songs to break up the regular IASW song makes it so much more tolerable. Without the holiday songs, I have often had the desire to pound my head against a wall to get the darn IASW song out!

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

Glad to see you had a great time.

I loved IASWH too! Now I don't feel so weird. Everyone always talks about how they don't like IASW. I was starting to think to think I was crazy for not just liking it but, REALLY liking it.

I am also glad to read that me deciding to reride Matterhorn 5x with my DS5 was a better decision than trying to "Find Nemo".

How did your DS like TOT? My DD7 really liked it.

I really like CS too. It just didn't beat me up as much as the other coasters did. That is one of the reasons I liked it so much.

 

[Hound 109]

from HydroGuy

1. Space Mtn (DL and MK)
2. BTMRR (DL and MK)
3. Matterhorn (DL)
4. RnR (MGM)
5. EE (AK)
6. CS

Think of the rich theming on all of these coasters, and then think about what kind of immersive experience you get on CS. It really does not immerse you in anything. It feels sort of like a Six Flags coaster. A fun Six Flags coaster to be sure, but still a Six Flags coaster.

I agree that it lacks theming. But I have ridden SM dozens of times & prefer not being in the dark (loved it when the lights were on in March).

Indy has amazing theming, but i wish it wasn't so jerky.

I can see where CS is like a 6 flags coaster, but i like how smooth it is (& i like that it has a single line).

 

[Hound 109]

Tink & DDM, I wasn't aware that Haunted Mansion & IASW were themed so differently (on the rides themselves) & it was so cool to experience them. I had seen the outside but was so pleasantly surprised with the inside of the ride.

HydroGuy, I agree that IASW shouldn't replace the first four (or 6) EE rides. And it was a walk on at 9:00am...but it's nice to know it's open (if like us) we had already done SW, the Carousel & Pinocchio the previous day & found ourselves at Storyland (at 8:55) tapping our toes.

Also, you (& others here) advised me before our first DL trip on how to tour, & (imo) it doesn't matter what time of year one tours.... the basic philosophy of being at EE or Gen Adm. (on non EE days) prior to opening & methodically picking up FPs as you go (& saving for later) allows one to get SO MUCH done the first few hours & then relax & enjoy the rest of the day. I have not been to DL where it hasn't been fairly crowded between the hours of 5 - 9pm, so having the FPs in your pocket takes ALL the stress out of evening touring.

Granted we went Commando...but even for the "smell the rose" crowd, working thru 10 - 15 rides the first 2/1/2 - 3 hours (while collecting 3-5 FPs for the evening) is the ONLY way to go. In 1 3/4 days we rode:

- SM 3 times.
- Buzz 3 times.
- Pirates, Toadie, Soarin', Pinocchio, Matterhorn, Alice, Pooh, BTMRR & Haunted Mansion twice.
- & virtually every other ride & attraction once.

The only things we didn't get accomplished that we would have if we had stayed the extra day, would have been an hour at Pirate's Lair (TS Island), the Canoes, & the Aladdin performance (& I'm sure we would have squeezed Splash in, but it didn't work for us this time as we didn't want to get wet unless we timed to ride it just before walking back to our room for the break.)

I do hope ol' Nemo continues to siphon off the EE crowds on our next trip, because I'll be focusing only on FL (& Buzz & SM) during EE. Also, Matterhorn is now DS's favorite ride (& is thus one of mine) & the ability to "walk on" both sides during EE was very cool. (& we both prefer the Nemo side fwiw).

Thanks again guys.

 

[HydroGuy]

I agree that it lacks theming. But I have ridden SM dozens of times & prefer not being in the dark (loved it when the lights were on in March).

Indy has amazing theming, but i wish it wasn't so jerky.

I can see where CS is like a 6 flags coaster, but i like how smooth it is (& i like that it has a single line).

As with most things Disney it appears we agree. My point is that Disney is in the business of building themed rides. The more it goes towards weak theming (or, in the case of CS, no theming), the more it starts to look like Six Flags. It is one of the reasons DCA takes so much flak.

The bottom line is that Disney could have made CS much better if they stuck to the things that set Disney apart. Similarly, but to a lesser degree, the same applies to DCA as a park. DCA has elements that are Disney, but is has elements that are not (CS being one of them). Soarin, ToT and GRR all have strong theming and fully qualify as Disney E-Tickets. But sadly CS does not. Because it is so smooth, and because it is in a Disney park, many of us give it a pass. But from a Disney point of view, it is sub-par ride. As I said, I like it, but it has all the elements that make me rebel at the requests of my kids to take them to Six Flags parks.

 

[DangerMouse]

Welcome back Hound! Sounds like your trip was quite a success with all the rides you packed into those 1.75 days. Thanks for saying hi to Harold for me. I miss him so. . .

I like Screamin better than SM. Its smooth action and high-speed take-off gets me every time. We also missed Pirate's Lair on our last trip. I had planned it for Friday and that was the day it poured rain, so no Capt. Jack for us. We'll just have to plan another trip to meet him.

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome back Hound! Sounds like your trip was quite a success with all the rides you packed into those 1.75 days. Thanks for saying hi to Harold for me. I miss him so. . .

I like Screamin better than SM. Its smooth action and high-speed take-off gets me every time. We also missed Pirate's Lair on our last trip. I had planned it for Friday and that was the day it poured rain, so no Capt. Jack for us. We'll just have to plan another trip to meet him.

Thanks DangerMouse. Harold was in good spirits (he likes it when it's sunny & brisk) .

Hmm....i think you're right. Gotta schedule another trip since we missed ol' Capt. Jack & his very cool island. (that he comandeered from Tom Sawyer)

Wouldn't be right to omit him (or a certain Brer' Happy Place).....guess I'll need to schedule something for March or late April.

1.75 days at DLR is better than a week at work. (or most anyplace else)